Windham Dunkin Donuts Project Advances

A plan to bring a third Dunkin' Donuts to Windham moved one step closer to reality on Wednesday night after the Planning Board reviewed the latest proposal from the project's developer.

If approved, the commercial development located at the site of three buildings to be demolished on 43 Range Road would give town residents a third Dunkin' Donuts eatery. The site is located next to Delahunty Nurseries.

The proposal calls for knocking down three buildings and constructing one new structure comprised of a Dunkin' Donuts restaurant and two office/retail spaces. Currently, Windham residents can now get Dunkin' products at two locations in town – 30 Indian Rock Road and 57 Rockingham Road – according to the Dunkin' Donuts store finder.

Peter Zohdi of Edward N. Herbert Associates, who represents Cafua Realty Trust, said the developers want to demolish the three existing buildings on the site and construct a 7,308-square-foot building, which will be comprised of a 2,928-square-foot Dunkin' Donuts restaurant and two office/retail spaces that would each be 2,190 square feet. He would not say what two other businesses might be part of the development.

Zohdi said during Wednesday night's Planning Board meeting the total is 30,749 square feet for the entire development and that 50 percent of the site will be open space. He added that the proposed development would have 33 parking spaces. Hours of operation for the eatery would be 6 a.m. to 11 p.m., seven days a week. He said the town engineer is currently reviewing the plan again after the developer made some requested changes.

“I think that we are complying with everything that police, fire and the highway agent want,” Zohdi told the Planning Board. 

Jim Smith, the project’s architect, explained that he has designed a different looking Dunkin' Donuts that would feature a one level building with a fieldstone look that would house the restaurant and two other office/retail business with lots of windows. He said the current design doesn't include a drive-thru window.

The proposed development lies in the town's Cobbetts Pond and Canobie Lake Watershed Protection District and the developer has submitted two waiver requests to permit the project.

Before the meeting, Laura Scott, the town's community development director, said some town residents have opposed the plan because they do not want another Dunkin Donuts and would prefer a different business such as a Panera Bread, Starbucks or even a Crispy Creme. But she said the Planning Board cannot turn down the plan simply because it includes a Dunkin' Donuts.

Margaret Crisler, the board's vice chairperson, said the Planning Board will take the amended plan under consideration and a final decision could be made at a future board meeting. The Planning Board's next scheduled meeting will be on Sept. 18 at the Community Development office.